Wilburna W. Hussey, 98, died Nov. 7, 2003, at Whidbey Island Manor, Oak Harbor.

Wilburna, known as “Billie” to her friends, was born Dec. 15, 1904, in Coffeyville, Kan., the only child of Wilburn and Cora Worth.

In 1907, she moved to Seattle with her family. The Worths built a home on Haller Lake, where Wilburna grew up. She attended the former Greenlake Elementary School then went to Ballard High School, graduating in 1922.

She was an avid piano player. She began playing the piano at age 5 and at 10 played the piano in the former Greenlake Theater so she could see the movies for free. Music was her first love and dancing her second.

After graduating, she went on the road with a vaudeville troupe that traveled the Northwest circuit making stops in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. But after a year, she returned to Seattle, stating, “Being on the road doing shows was too much work!”

In 1927 she married Truman A. Conrad. The following year they had a child, Richard W. Conrad. In 1931, the family moved to Detroit. Truman worked for Ford Motor Co. during the Depression and then was manager of a construction company. He died in August 1942.

In August of 1943, she and her son moved to California, where she worked in several defense plants during the war. She married Ed Hussey in 1945, and in 1951 they moved to San Diego. Ed Hussey died in 1957.

She then worked for General Dynamics Corp. as a precision electronics parts inspector until retiring in 1970. She left California and moved to Whidbey Island to be close to her son.

She was active with the South Whidbey Senior Center for more than 20 years, playing piano with the Bayview Kitchen Fun Band and the Road Runners Dance Band. She worked as a volunteer for Good Cheer in Langley for many years.

She lost her sight in the early 1990s, which slowed her down somewhat, but she remained in good health and good spirits. She spent seven years as a resident of Harbor Towers in Oak Harbor, continuing to play the piano.

She is survived by a son, Richard Conrad, and his wife, Ellen, of Grangeville, Idaho; a granddaughter, Caren Barber, and her husband Dave, of Lewiston, Idaho; a grandson, Richard T. Conrad of Kirtland, N.M.; two great-grandchildren, Heidi M. Taylor (Mayo) of Clarkston and Richard J. Conrad of Kirtland, N.M.; and a great-great-grandson, Russell J. Mayo of Clarkston.

Private graveside services were held at Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery, Seattle. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.